Spirituality Sports Latke Time Kol Ami celebrates Chanukah early at Shabbat dinner. Members of Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield got a jump on Chanukah at their "Lotsa Latkes Shabbat" on Dec. 5. The well- attended event featured a casual Shabbat service geared toward the holiday, followed by dinner with lots of latkes. Children decorated their own hol- iday cookies and then there was time for a little Chanukah gambling — with dreidls, of course. Above: Stephen Vorenberg, Jared Gross, Cameron Frill, all 10, and Adam Gross, 8, all of Farmington Hills, get ready to try their first latke of the season. Below: Adam Gross, Elaine Kotzne-Mdmyre, 5, of Novi and Stephen Vorenberg decorate Chanukah cookies. 12/12 2003 72 Jewish Stars Fall Honors MIKE ROSENBAUM Special to the Jewish News IV estern Michigan defensive end Jack Gitler closed his junior year season with a career-best day. Gitler had 11 tackles, including five for loss, in a season-ending defeat against Toledo. Western finished 5-7 overall, 4-4 in conference action. Gitler was one of the Broncos' leaders with 55 solo tackles this season, plus 32 assists. He posted 19 tackles for loss, includ- ing seven quarterback sacks. He was also credited with eight quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries. Other sea- son highlights for the Berkley graduate included his first career interception, in a victory over Ohio University, plus nine tackles in a victory over Eastern Michigan. Farmington Harrison offensive line- . man Andrew Diamond earned second team All-Metro North honors. Birmingham Seaholm quarterback Sam Siegel was an honorable mention choice. Both are seniors. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook wide receiver Andrew Sherman was also hon- orable mention All-Metro North and was honorable mention on the Associated Press Class B All-State squad. Additionally, Sherman was selected first team All-Area and first team All-Metro Conference. The senior caught 57 passes for 816 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He added two more TDs on fumble returns plus seven sacks as a defensive end. "He was our go-to guy," said coach Gary Gerson, "the toughest receiver I've ever seen. He'd catch the ball and take on anybody. He refused to be tackled." Gerson said Sherman combined "graceful receiving ability and physical toughness." Sherman set Cranbrook career records for receptions (95) receiv- ing yards (1,421) and receiving touch- downs (18). An excellent student, he is hoping to play college football in the Ivy League. Gerson coached Cranbrook to a 9-2 mark, setting a school record for victo- ries in a season. Jordan Gruber was the Michigan State University soccer team's fourth- leading scorer this season. The junior midfielder from Birmingham Groves had two goals and one assist in 15 games. Both his goals were game-win- ners. The ,Spartans finished 11-5-2. Junior defensive end Jack Gitler tackles Bowling Green State University junior wide receiver Cole Magner on Oct. 11. In women's play, MSU sophomore midfielder Erin Konheim was also fourth in team scoring. The West Bloomfield grad played in 14 games, starting 13. She finished the season with three goals and five assists, helping the MSU women post a 12-7 record. The IDF's gain is the Oakland University swim team's loss. Israeli Thud Segal was OU's top 100- and 200-meter butterfly swimmer as a freshman last season. But he's been called back to Israel to serve in the armed forces for the next three years. The NFWB Cobras, a primarily- Jewish13-and-under travel baseball team, is holding a Christmas Eve fund- raiser at the American Family Cinema at the Livonia Mall (on the northwest cor- ner of Seven Mile and Middlebelt). Three separate theaters will show sneak previews (Lord of the Rings at 6:30 p.m., Cheaper by the Dozen at 7 p.m. and Peter Pan at 7:30 p.m.). Tickets are $10 and include unlimited popcorn and pop, with a large portion of the proceeds going to the Cobras. Advance tickets may be purchased for $8 by contacting Jeff Levine at (248) 553-8858. The Cobras will also raise funds by working as busboys at Outback Steakhouse in West Bloomfield on Dec. 13 from noon until 2 p.m. For $20 per adult (not including gratuity), every table will have an appetizer tray, five choices of entrees and unlimited non- alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will also be available. For $10 (not including gra- tuity) children can order kids, meals and have unlimited soft drinks. Again, a large portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Cobras. El To send information to the Jewish Stars column, email sports@thejevvishne-ws.com .